The Isolated Gaze: Portraiture in Humanity's Relationship with Our Home
We Can Only Assume: A Depiction of the Earth's emotional caliber
The Isolated Gaze: Portraiture in Humanity's Relationship with Our Home
We Can Only Assume: A Depiction of the Earth's emotional caliber
The Isolated Gaze: Portraiture in Humanity's Relationship with Our Home
We Can Only Assume: A Depiction of the Earth's emotional caliber
We Can Only Assume: A Depiction of the Earth's emotional caliber
Life on the Ark:
A Visualization
The Zanesville Animal Catastrophe a Decade Later
​
Life on the Ark is a podcast series that reflects on the legacies of a 2011 incident in Zanesville, Ohio, during which fifty exotic animals were killed by county police upon being released by their owner. Through in-depth interviews with people directly impacted by the incident, the series shows how the Zanesville catastrophe has altered local life, state and federal laws, and the world we share with
other animals.
I worked directly with Kelly, visually interpreting his research on the podcast. ​This body of work is dedicated to the 56 apex predators that were owned by Terry Thompson, and the 49 that were killed that night. Each piece reacts to specific first-hand accounts from the police officers, animal specialists, and neighbors of the property. I hope that these pieces serve as a visual aide to the podcast, helping the audience understand and empathize with all perspectives given throughout the story.
Oil on canvas, H 30" x W 45" The first eye-witness to the Zanesville incident was Terry Thompson’s neighbor, Sam Kopchak, who described seeing a black figure encircled by horses in Thompson’s field. Kopchak’s mother, Dolly, placed the first emergency call to authorities.
Oil on canvas, H 24" x W 36" When first responders arrived on the farm, they saw a white tiger standing over a human figure lying in the grass. The brutal scene encapsulates the carnage of the night.
Oil on canvas, H 32" x W 56" After the 2011 incident, the Thompson farm was sold to friends of the family and converted to a Motocross track. The remains of the 50 slain animals are buried on the property in a mass grave.
Oil on canvas, H 30" x W 45" The first eye-witness to the Zanesville incident was Terry Thompson’s neighbor, Sam Kopchak, who described seeing a black figure encircled by horses in Thompson’s field. Kopchak’s mother, Dolly, placed the first emergency call to authorities.